Chris Simpson is the latest Baltimore Blackbird to fly the coop.
Simpson, who served as the team?s head coach and the director of player personnel, submitted a letter of resignation to owner Alexander Austinaround noon on Friday, creating two sizable holes in the organization already plagued by financial instability.
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“It is in the best interest of my family and me to pursue other professional avenues,” Simpson said in an e-mail to Austin. “I am tendering my resignation as the head coach of the Baltimore Blackbirds, effective immediately.”
Simpson said the players and coaches still have not been paid for the final three games of the American Indoor Football Association season.
Austin asked his personnel to be patient while he gathered the funding. He scheduled a Sept. 1 deadline for the distribution of the owed compensation.
“These [players] go out there and bust their butts and make sacrifices,” said Simpson, who signed a one-year extension with the Blackbirds in April. “For some reason, owners think it?s OK not to pay the players. They think it?s OK not to carry insurance policies on the players. There are just so many uncertainties there.”
More than financially, Simpson became burdened by Austin?s questioning of his commitment to the team. Simpson believes Austin became leery of his conversations with AIFA owner and CEO John Morris.
“It got to the point where [Austin] questioned my loyalty and integrity,” Simpson said. “It just wears on you.”
Austin did not return phone calls to The Examiner.
Simpson said he has received multiple inquiries from organizations around the league, but refused to comment on which ones.
The Blackbirds finished 1-12 in their expansion season.
Simpson said Blackbirds assistant coach Dan Culliver also will not be back with the team next season.
Before signing with the Blackbirds prior to the 2007 season, Simpson coached in the Canadian Football League, the Arena Football League and the National Indoor Football League. He was the general manager and head coach of the NIFL?s Lincoln Capitols in 2006 but resigned due to disagreements with the ownership.
“It?s disappointing,” Simpson said. “I really thought that this organization was going to be different. But based on the things that have transpired over the last few months, it really isn?t. Baltimore is a great city. I love being here. It breaks my heart that it came to this.”
